Maybe they can use all the extra revenue to fix my ()*()*^&^$%^*&^()*&*&(%%^$&^#^%#& backyard which turns into a lake (really) every time it rains because 21 acres of rainwater from the houses above drains into it. The only accident on Old Mill Road was probably when I ran over the bicyclist who decided he could make a left without looking. Maybe the cops should start worrying about real "crime" and stop picking the pockets of the citizens.

I can definitely relate....I was caught a few years ago going a speedy "38", too!

I live on Old Mill Road and I can honestly say there are very few folks including the police that abid the 25 mile an hour speed limit. Your article truly made me laugh out loud as I see the speeders heading to MVCC every Sunday morning. I wish the extra revenue would pay to really repave Old Mill Road instead of that pot hole patch the state or county continues to use to no avail.

Frank, I think our men & women in blue think that going a few miles over the speed limit is the 'real' crime in South Alexandria - - and they are probably right, since probably more pockets get picked on that corner per week than all other crime in Mt. Vernon combined. That corner is 2 doors away from my home and I sometimes I often wonder if they shouldn't use that as their permanent address.
Kudos to the scofflaw who occassionally posts the "RADAR" sign that I posted a photo of above - - - sure which I knew who was responsible for that . . . . . . . . ! ;-)

Update - - 2:16 PM, Tuesday 9/17: THe Boys in Blue are on the corner right now. Guess I better check to see if the scofflw has hung that pesky sign again . . .

I agree with everything Ron Fitzsimmons said.

Hahaha!!! So true, Ron! I can't stand that trap!

The issue is not with the police upholding the law, but with the established speed at that location. The stretch between Rt1&Sherwood Hall to Collingwood&Ft. Hunt makes no sense either. The crowded Rt.1&Sherwood to Parker's Lane is 35. Turning right on Parker's Lane, after proceeding past the residences the speed drops to 25 for a long, straight stretch past a quiet, mildly used park (there is a regular speed trap located at Wm&Mary). At Parker's Lane&Riverside, the 25 mph continues. As a walker (AARP jogger) on the shoulder-free Collingwood, drivers regularly speed at 35-45. 25 mph is to low to be practical or observable. Speed limits ought to be appropriate to the situation. The issue is not police enforcing the law, it is the unreasonable traffic laws they must enforce.

I'm not sure how or why the speed limit EVER got reduced from 35 m.p.h. to 25 m.p.h. It is impossible to travel 25 m.p.h. on that road. Urban legend has it that someone moved in facing Old Milil Road, made a phone call, and the speed limit was changed. Doesn't sound right, but does anyone know HOW the speed limit got changed and none of us knew about it? (I used to live off of Old Mill Road and found out about the speed limit change when I got pulled over for going 37 m.p.h.)

I have to say, my family and I live on the corner of Old Mill Road, and I have a 7 year old who isn't always a) catchable and b)smart about how she navigates our yard versus the streets out front. I'm grateful for the 25 MPH speed limit there, and I wish the police had their speed trap set up when the jerk on the unnecessarily loud motorcycle guns it down Old Mill towards Lukens Lane.

Though I imagine my brother, who lives with us, would disagree, having been caught by the same speed trap last week. :)

As I told my kids when they were that age: "this is grass, if you aren't standing on it then you are somewhere you don't belong." Even though I had to drag myself out of the chair every 5 minutes to retrieve their ball that was conveniently kicked a block down the street, they never left the grass.

Good question about the legality of posting a 'RADAR' sign Ron - maybe the scofflaw that puts it up knows the answer . . .
There is probably some ordinance that covers it.
Aside from that, some time ago I was waiting for someone in front of their homenear McLean. I knew radar was behind me so I commenced flashing my headlights. A car comes over the knoll - - flash . . flash . . flash. Whoops - the car flashes me back with red & blue lights, crosses the road and parks nose to nose with me. He asked what I was doing and I explained that "I was assisting his colleagues up the street."
"What?!?!?!", was his reply.
I explained, "Well officer, I realize that the real purpose of speed traps is to insure the safety of drivers and pedestrians so as a good citizen I figured that since the radar was 1/2 mile up the road it would be a good idea to help his buddies out and get folks to slow down a bit sooner - - I'd feel real guilty if some child got hit between here and the radar set up down the road."
Hey, the guy actually chuckled . . . anyway, no ticket but he explained that I could do "anything else" (he specifically mentioned a 'big sign on my windshield' or standing there flagging people down) but that it was illegal to use 'emergency equipment' inappropriately. Probably best, but I didn't bother to debate with him whether headlights (which I would consider 'safety equipment' since rain & darkness aren't actual emergencies) are considered 'emergency equipment.

alas, bitching about the cops isn't going to change anything. complain, complain, and complain to the board of supervisors, who should be busy ensuring that cops are enforcing reasonable laws. the cops work for the people, and the board of supervisors is the voice of the people. speak up.!

Police should be proactively fighting crime instead of sitting on the side of Old Mill running speed traps. As far as the public safety nonsense is concerned it is just that. Running a light and hitting something is not going 36 in a 25. The only pedestrians I have ever seen coming close to getting creamed are those who think my 2 ton SUV stops faster than their feet. I've asked this question every time this topic comes up: How many motor vehicle accidents are a direct result of speed? I will tell you the answer: ZERO, NONE, ZIP, ZILCH, NADA. The people they should be hammering are those who make illegal turns across 2-3 lanes, pedestrians who ignore signals or jaywalk, and bicyclists who think who want the same rights as cars, but don't want to follow the same laws. Those are the people causing accidents, not the driver going 36 in a 25.

I'm 'almost' in agreement with you Dave. Certainly some accidents are caused by speed but just as certainly NOT any of the very few that happen on Old Mill. As a bicyclist I can tell you we ARE subject to the same laws as motor vehicles (although not nearly so often enforced). I do have a friend who was recently written up and fined for not coming to a full stop at a stop sign - - fine and points. He thought he would challenge it in court as unfair that he should haved points assessed to his license when it's not required to has a driver license to ride a bicycle - - he lost.

Dear Ron,
Im very sorry you disagree with reality but I happen to LOVE my 25mph street. I have lived on Old Mill Rd for 20+ years and I have nearly been killed at least once a year by my dear neighbors like yourself. Those cops have been trying to protect people like me and our pets as we try to navigate my street regardless of the speed people drive past me. I cannot tell you how many times someone going "just 38 mph" has driven me off the road, into the gutters, or sent my puppy whimpering into the ditch. The section of Old Mill with the perpetual pothole also has NO SIDEWALK and without question should be 25mph for everyone's safty. This is a RESIDENTIAL street. That means CHILDREN live and play on this street. Im sorry you find it less than scenic but this is my home and I hope those cops continue to sit at the bottom of my hill.

My favorite near miss has to have been the time I was run down by a hulking F150 which took up most of the road, much less the lane, I managed to get the license plate, but (in reference to an earlier article) couldn't get a call through to the cops because I had no cell phone signal.

PS @ Dave: I don't suppose the bicyclist was a blond teenage boy by any chance?

The only accident I've ever seen on Old Mill was the one in which I hit that hillbilly bicyclist who lives in the junkyard near the top of the hill. He was cited for reckless driving. I understand that bicyclists are required to follow the same rules of the road, but, be serious, most of them don't No offense, but I'm also happy to see they have restricted bikes on the Parkway.

No, I'm pretty sure my wife and kids know your son. I believe it was someone near you, who has the junkyard in their front yard. I understand your position AJ, but the reality is the speed limit is ridiculous and there is no room on that road for vehicles, much less pedestrians. Kids belong in their front yards, not in the street. I always give pedestrians and bicyclists the right of way on Old Mill even when they aren't giving me any.

My point is AJ, there is no sidewalk or place to walk on Old Mill, forcing people to walk in the street. The roadway is there for cars and if, as a pedestrian, you decide to walk in it then you are taking your life in your hands. After hitting that bicyclist and coming inches from going head-on into a tree I give pedestrians and bicyclists a generous path. I agree with you that there needs to be a sidewalk down Old Mill, just like I agree with my feeling that pedestrians and bikes don;t belong on the roadway.

BTW, what is up with that pothole? They worked on it for 3 weeks, but it still doesn't seem a whole lot better.

One would think those who are stopped repeatedly would slow down until they can get the law changed. I don't like it, but I have no problem doing 25 on that road.

I feel your pain. It is criminal what they do sitting at bottoms of hills, hiding in bushes in areas where they know the speed limit is not what it should be. I'm about to but one of those high radar detectors that the police can't detect off amazon. There's no reason why one side should have all the advantages and they insist on playing dirty.

Don't waste your money on a radar detector. Actually, I don't think the boys & girls in blue can detect any of them (or they just don't bother). I had one for years but they are virtually worthless now becasue most police departments are actually using laser rather than radar. Todays detection units are combo (laser & radar) but the problem is that unlike radar which is constantly on and which spread out and can be detected up to 4 miles away (depending on band being used & highway/weather conditions) the lasers in use are basically instant on and 'line of sight'. By the time your detector detects it, it's already too late . . . They Got Ya!!

Im sorry. Are you guys serious? Buying a radar detector so you don't get CAUGHT? The cops are doing their jobs. They aren't playing "dirty" they are enforcing the speed limit on a residential road. If you have that much of a problem following the speed limit maybe you shouldn't have a license in the first place. Aren't radar detectors illegal in most states anyway?

Generally, with the exception of VA & DC they ware legal in private vehicles under the Communication Act of 1934. A handful of other states restrict them in the case of commercial vehicles. As far as their use - - hey, supposedly the purpose of radar is to get drivers to slow down and drive more safely. Who knows, if you happen to be reminded of radar 1/2 mile before you get to it you just might avoid that accident you otherwise would have been involved in 200 yards down the road.

Plain and simple it's nothing but a revenue grab. Safety has nothing to do with it. A pedestrian has never been struck in a speed related accident and those "close calls" are caused by pedestrians walking in the roadway on a narrow street. In order to go 25 on Old Mill to Adrienne you literally have to ride the brakes all the way down. Once again, the whining of a few effects how things operate in this part of the county.

Until about 10 years ago, Old Mill Road was ALWAYS 35 m.p.h. In all that time, not one person was hit. The fact that it is a residential road does not hold water with me. Old Mount Vernon Road, Mt. Vernon Hwy (Route 235) all have houses along their stretches. The speed limit (except for school zones) is 35 m.p.h. If you buy a house and there is existing speed limits, no sidewalks, utility boxes, athletic field lights, etc. then you knew it going in. You chose to buy the house anyway. Why did this road's speed limit change? Yes, it needs sidewalks. But, it never had them and no one was ever hurt before. I have been accused of driving like a "grandma" and have no speeding tickets on my record (except for the one in 2001 when they first changed the speed limit on Old Mill Road). It is VERY difficult for me to maintain 25 m.p.h. on that road. It's actually more of a distraction keeping my eye on the speedometer and not paying as much attention to the road...

Agree with the comments that these speed traps are revenue-driven, as they have them across the county in some pretty ridiculous places. Case in point, Va Hills in Lee district. Talk about steep hills, and recently had speed traps setup at night! I was a passenger, and we got poults over AFTER a stop sign at which we stopped. We asked the officer why, and he said "we didn't stop for as long as we should have" that was a new one! Of course he couldn't issue a ticket for that, but he did run the driver's license through the system to find something ticketable. It's all about generating revenue, not increasing safety!

Yes, Marta, but as i said at the end of my piece, I now go the speed limit on Old Mill Road. So maybe they have made the street "safer"????

The last time I commented on a Fitzsimmons article, I was criticized by his buddy Keith Whited for waiting several days to do so. At risk of facing similar criticism, I note (on Sunday morning) that if you don't want to get a ticket, observe the speed limit. If you think the speed limit on a road is too low, ask that legislation be enacted to change it and go through the legislative process to have it changed which will include public hearings attended by those most affected, the people living on the road. Sometimes, speed limits are enacted w/o regard to the safe speed on the road. I'm guessing the speed limit on Old Mill is low to discourage cut-through traffic.

Hey Ron - Do you think we're 'buds' because we've actually met for 5 minutes on three occassions or because I came to your defense when 'someone' tried to put words in your mouth . . . ? Do you think I'd be considered Speigel's bud also if I happened to say that his idea about why the speed limit is set so low might be valid?

I go to New York City for a weekend and look at what I missed! You guys should get a room!

Jay...the problem is no one knows what process officials went through to change the speed limit. All we know is no one knew about it...it just happened. Kind of like when they changed Route 1's speed limit for the day. It sure doesn't appear that any legislative process, with public comment, was afforded to us back then though.

As a test, yesterday I made the turn from MVH onto Old Mill making sure I was going 25 mph. Took my foot off the gas and brake and coasted down the hill. By the time I hit Adrienne I was going 40 mph. I turned around (making sure to honk a few times at Keith and Ron who obviously took Jay's advice and "got a room") and did the same thing. I found I had to brake aggressively from MVH to Adrienne. On my way home from Mt Vernon Country Club (since we seem to be the only people using Old Mill) a police officer turned left in front of me and proceeded to MVH going 35-40 mph. I would like Jay to explain to me why the police are allowed to blatantly brake the law while the lowly citizen receives a $120 fine?

kari, just get up a petition or get a group to ask for a public hearing by board of supervisors, who probably sent the word to vdot in the first place to put up the 25 mph limit. or call hyland's office and ask where these decisions are made and how to go about changing them if in fact they make sense. what are views of the local civic assn, if there is one? (i have no position on this issue, but if enough people care, they can do something about it-- or so we would like to believe).

We can't get past the bureacracy to get cell phone towers installed. Kinda laughing at the prospect of getting the speed limit reduced on Old Mill Road...

The fact that Kari doesn't remember a public process prior to lowering the speed limit doesn't mean there wasn't one. Ron Fitzsimmons says "if we can change the speed limit via the public process, whey [sic] wasn't there a public process when they changed it to 25?" Of course there was a public process (this is not communist China) and someone who fancies himself a potential Mount Vernon Supervisor, after raising the issue, would do the research and provide us the details. I look forward to hearing about the results of the research.

Gees, H. Jay (or is it H or Jay) guess you and Ron won;t be running mates. Seems like you have an issue. Guess diplomacy wasn't taught in law school. Seeing that you sound like you are going to run for the same seat why don't you do the research and get back to us.

I guess you haven't been paying close attention, Dave. In a comment I made on 9/10/11 at 8:39 PM in response to Fitzsimmons' cell tower commentary, I recounted how Fitzsimmons had asked me if I intended to run for the Supervisor position. When I told him I had no such intention, he asked me to support him. I don't have any big issue concerning Fitzsimmons' obvious political ambitions - however, people with such aspirations need to learn to refrain from making comments that make it clear they don't understand the legal process for enacting and rescinding local ordinances. The best thing about Mr. Fitzsimmons' new Patch column is that he has no authority to censor comments he doesn't like, as he does on his blog.

Guess us little people just don't pay attention. Usually, Jay (or is it H) I just ignore you because it's obvious you have an issue with a number of people. Keep hanging out with your hot shot lawyer friends who are probably more than willing to tolerate your condescending attitude.

Okay, folks, let's avoid the personal stuff because I actually can flag comments as "inappropriate". Thanks!

Jay...I think if you asked anyone in our community if they remember a public process for lowering the speed limit on Old Mill Road, you would not get one affirmative response. Ask anyone in the Mount Vernon/Lee Districts if they remember a public process over the lowering of the speed limit on Route 1...I bet you get the same answer. Someone got around a loophole in the process (or had connections) and made this happen...much to the chagrin of the community. That was my point. I would dearly love to blame my lack of "remembering" on my middle age. Unfortunately, that is not the case here...

Dave, if I refrained from commenting about your inaccurate comments about me, other readers might think your comments are true. That doesn't make me "condescending." If you want to make comments about people, just get your facts straight. I don't know if you are "little" or "big." And you don't know who I hang out with.

Sulgrave Civic Association has no official position on the speed limit at this time because I haven't had an opportunity to discuss it with the community. I'll post it on the website this afternoon as a question to be addressed at our next meeting.

Having said that, I did contact Gerry Hyland's office this morning and spoke to a very helpful lady named Latrice; Latrice informed me that the change of speed limit isn't handled by the county, but is instead something that VDOT handles. She's going to research how the process works, and under what circumstances the speed limit was changed last and when. When she's talked to VDOT, she'll call me back and let me know what information she's gathered and I will be happy to pass that on here. In addition, she'll give me an outline of the process needed to change the speed limit to something more suited to the community's wishes, if in fact that's what the majority would like to have done. Hope this helps.

Thank you, Liz for following up on this discussion. I agree that Latrice is helpful. She'll get to the bottom of this!

suggest that people who are wondering go directly to vdot and ask for documentation of when the proposed speed limit change was announced and where (i have actually seen VDOt announcements of public hearings in local papers--unlike fairfax county, Fairfax county agencies only advertise them in the Washington Times--no kidding--(if indeed they do so--alas, an awful lot of stuff goes on in Fairfax county under the radar, which explains why people don't find out about things until too late. but one would hope that the Supervisor's office, which presumably was notified of this change, would have at least advised the communty in advance. (notify citizens assns, for example-- or even the mvcca). look forward to hearing just how this happened..

WOW! I go to the beach for a few days and look at what I missed! . . . a whole new batch of arrogant, condescending comments!!!
DAVE - - Your assessment of ‘H Jay’ is right on target!! It’s not whether folks choose to believe your comments that make him condescending - - - it’s his OWN comments that make him condescending (probably one of the milder adjectives used if a poll were taken). Interestingly he objects to your comments on ‘hanging out with hot shot lawyer friends’ yet he felt quite free to twice (cell tower string and radar string) decide that Ron (who I barely know) and I are ‘buddies’.
Your policy of ignoring ‘H’im is probably a good idea. If we all ignored ‘H’im he’d have less opportunity to post just for the sake of seeing his name in print - - on the other hand, the more posts ‘H’e makes the less likely we are to have to worry about ‘H’im ever being elected to anything.

In an effort to appear diplomatic, I have contacted VDOT regarding Old Mill and will post their response once I receive it. Being a middle class, tax paying, inattentive citizen I probably won't have as much luck as some big shot like Mr. Spiegel. But, I can hope can't I. I guess that wasn't very diplomatic was it.
Almost once a week I have contact with Latrice. She is always polite, courteous and helpful even when I'm screaming at her about dead animals in my yard because 21 acres of runoff dumps into my backyard.

I'm not the transportation person at Supervisor Hyland's office, but I do remember him vehemently objecting to the speed limit change. Check with Latrice Wallace, who IS the transportation person. She should have the full scoop on why VDOT insisted on the change. I do recall that it was done in conjunction with the bridge replacement on that road.

Sound like the VDOT or MVD should review the speed zone on Old Mill Road, no schools and is a throughfare to other parts of the district. 25 MPH is not realistic for that road, I know that it is mainly residential, however, it is a major throughway to other neighborhoods.

Now I can see the part that is south (or west, I get so confused of the direction there) of Lukens past the country club have those sharp curves remaining @ 25 - but the stretch from MV Hwy to Lukens should be a 35 mph zone.

Mr. Whited: Amazing that you call me arrogant & condescending with your latest obnoxious comments. I won't apologize for asking people to support their positions with some objective evidence and for suggesting that those who aspire to public elective office (I'm not one of them) get their facts straight. If such comments are "arrogant" and "condescending," you've created new definitions for those words. As to you, "Dave," if you want to continue taking shots at me, how about refraining from hiding behind the anonymity of the internet and giving us your full name so we'll all know exactly who you are. I traveled Old Mill Road twice today and was easily able to observe the 25 MPH speed limit. If someone succeeds in changing the speed limit, that's OK with me. Until then, I'll observe the posted limit.

H. Jay you're a huge condescending target so it's not that hard. I don't hide well and most of the people here know who I am and most likely disagree with me, but I'm a realist and say what's on my mind. I hate you guys with all those initials after their name who think they are smarter than the rest of us. I'll let you know when VDOT gets back to me so I can fill your need for "just the facts, please."

Hey, boys, take a look at my new column and maybe we can take this spat over to that one!

Ho Hum - - - so boring. Sorry that the truth hurts so bad H Jay. Respond as you will - I'm done. ZZzzzzzzz.

How about we consider this. Ron correct me if I am wrong. speed limits are a VDOT / state issue for the most part correct? How about a compromise... 30 MPH. Is there something in the regulations that we have to have that 5 in there anywhere?

Also - how about working with the county and the state to 1) widen the road from lukens and Falkstone get sidewalks installed on the whole stretch from Mt. Vernon Hwy to Lukens. The part of the road from lukens around back to Mt. Vernon Hwy (ft belvoir side) is not as heavily traveled - and the 25 mph makes sense because of the curves and narrow part of the road.

I have sent two e-mails to the VDOT and have not received a response. If you are working with Latrice YOU need to follow-up with her not vice versa. Although she is extremely helpful she is also extremely busy dealing with MY backyard issue. Every year I participate in the Community Day Golf Tournament at MVCC. This year I think I'll pass. If the communities along Old Mill think they have so much power let all of them pitch in and build sidewalks. I'll be damned if I'll help them do it.

I would love to see a couple of articles on the MVCCA, These neighborhood nazis seem to wield alot of power or are perceived to do so.

"intend", even. Evidently I need to review my OWN posts better before I click "reply". ;)

Spoke to Latrice at 9:45 this morning; She is waiting on a response from VDOT, as I suspected, and has spoken directly to VDOT in person to ask for information as well. As of this moment, the issue is in the hands of VDOT, who are much less accommodating than the Supervisor's office in terms of replying to requests for information, so as soon as Latrice is able to wrest information from VDOT, she will contact me and I will gladly share whatever information she's able to get for us both here and on the Sulgrave Manor website (SulgraveManorCivic.com). Nothing in bureacracy is ever swift, I'm afraid.

Jeepers, Liz, belligerent and petulant in the same sentence. I would a soon drive a stake through my hand than align myself with the community whack-jobs that encompass the MVCCA. I've always found community organizations to be self-serving NIMBY's who are only concerned with their little piece of the world and to hell with the rest. As far as giving a penny to help your community and the surrounding communities build a sidewalk, I'll pass. This was never, ever, a "we/us thing." Nothing with community organizations ever are.

I suppose I missed that memo when I agreed to serve for Sulgrave Manor Civic Association because of my blatent hippie pro-chicken tendencies. Oddly, I thought community organizations were groups of neighbors getting together en-masse to make a difference when problems cropped up in the community.

No one asked for any money from anyone for sidewalks; this was entirely about talking about issues we may or may not be sharing and trying to do something about it in a larger group so that we might be more effectively heard.

I wish you the best of luck in fixing your issues in your own backyard, as that's clearly where your concern centers. As to the name-calling, I'll take a card from your deck and "pass".

I am still happy to meet you in person; you know where to find me to do so. And if there is anything I can do to assist in resolving your ongoing flooding issue, I am glad to help, as to my mind, that's what the civic association is there to do.

Liz, I thank you for trying to make a difference. And, I sincerely hope you are successful at getting the true community voice heard and actions taken toward their wishes. I, too, once thought I could make a difference in the MVCCA. However, I found that while there are so many people like you (the good ones, with the best of intentions), there are far too many vocal bullies who will not listen to the voices of others. It was my experience that there were some who were in there to wield power and influence for their specific agendas (and honestly, some didn't even seem to have an agenda, but just liked to hear their own voices). The others were silenced or ridiculed. There are 125,000 residents in the Mount Vernon District. A handful of people show up for the committee meetings and about 20 or so voting council members show up for their monthly meetings...purporting to speak for the rest of us. And, thus, we have resolutions and subsequent actions from these few voices that affect so much change in our community. What is worse is that we have so many businesses and non-homeowners who do not even have a voice. I fully realize these are "homeowners associations." However, their influence on the decisions made in this district are second to none. I find that sad.

Kari, I always like how you put things and agree with you 100%. I also sincerely appreciate Liz's work within her community. Unfortunately, while she was passing out flowers, I was chaining myself to the gates of nuclear power plants. I would venture to bet that if we asked the MV Community if the speed limit on Old mill should be 25 or 35 a majority would respond 35. The minority, would say 25. Same thing with cell phone towers. I can drive down Old Mill and count the number of homes directly on Old Mill. Pedestrians and bicyclists don't belong on Old Mill. The road is too narrow. Same thing with sidewalks. Ask the people directly effected and they would scream to high heaven if the county put a sidewalk right on their property line. I would guess that less than 100 people are directly affected by the speed limit on Old Mill.

Liz, just one more thing. Since the members of Sulgrave Manor are so stringent on the law can you please remind them that the stop sign at Old Mill means "STOP". Not roll or blow through it at will. We just want to keep the bicyclists and pedestrians safe and all.

Kari - - as Dave indicated, you deserve kudos for your tact & reasoning. Thank You!
Dave, sometimes I agree with your posts - in this case I do not. I agree the speed should be 35 on Old Mill but disagree about the number of people affected - it doesn't just affect those living on Old Mill. It affects all who drive on it. I also disagree that "pedestrians & bicyclists don't belong on Old Mill". I understand you aren't into biking and that your pedestrianism is pretty much limited to the golf course. Perhaps that has biased your thinking. Currently Old Mill Road is NOT THE SAFEST of places for bikers, runners and walkers; however that doesn't mean that they "don't belong on Old Mill". The road is a major connecting route between our communities and shopping, etc. on Rt. #1. It SHOULD be pedestrian and biker friendly. Perhaps it would get a few more folks out of their gas guzzlers and into mild exercise mode if there were a safer way to traverse that section. For that reason I would strongly favor a sidewalk along Old Mill and seriously doubt if many homeowners facing Old Mill would "scream to high heaven" if the county were to build a sidewalk in front of their home. In my many years as a Realtor in Mt. Vernon I have often been asked by potential buyers while touring certain neighborhoods, "Why don't they have sidewalks here?" Sidewalks tend to give a 'finished look' to suburban communities and ultimately enhance the 'curb appeal' and property value.

Keith, I do agree that my "pedestrian-ism" is limited to the golf course except for the fact that I ride in a cart because I can't walk well anymore. Where would you put a sidewalk on Old Mill? There are sidewalks along the road where there is room to put them. How would you widen it to put them and maintain the drainage? I agree that our communities should be biker and pedestrian friendly (remember Kristy does both) where it can be done safely. Look at the Parkway. Bikes aren't allowed anymore because it is not safe for the bicyclists or the vehicles.

Dave, the sidewalks would typically be placed over the current drainage ditches (which are hazardous so close to the roadway). It's done all of the time, and that is where the drainage system is placed wherever else you see sidewalks in neighborhoods. Keith is right, it would GREATLY enhance the curb appeal of that road while allowing pedestrians and bicyclists a safe place to walk/bike. Keith, you are also very right when you describe Old Mill Road as a major thoroughfare from the neighborhoods to the Route 1 businesses and restaurants. I no longer live off of Old Mill Road, but frequently travel that road at least daily.

I do have a question because I have heard that several homeowners along Old Mill Road are not in favor of sidewalks. Does anyone know what the apprehensions are? I've never actually spoken to someone who didn't want a sidewalk on that road, so I honestly don't know the answer. My old street used to have a drainage culvert and I HATED having to mow that part of the yard. I have a sidewalk in front of my house now and appreciate that people are not trampling on my grass/weeds/whatever else decides to drop from trees!

I heard, and it may not be so, that the family on the corner of Old Mill and 236 opposed the black metal railing that would be placed there due to the way the road drops off...I also recall something about the blacktop versis a concrete sidewalk... but my memory is fuzzy. Maybe the chair of the appropiate MVCCAs committee chair would have some background on this... I thought SMCA was, faily recently, in dialogue with them and Jerry's office on ths issue. Liz did any one brief you on this?